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enDiamanti returns to Serie A following Watford spellAlessandro Diamanti's time at Watford is over after the Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao forward joined Atalanta on loan.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/diamanti-returns-serie-following-watford-spell
Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao striker Alessandro Diamanti's season-long loan at Watford has been cut short, with the Italian moving to Atalanta on a temporary basis for the remainder of the campaign on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old moved to China from Bologna in February 2014 but spent the latter half of last season at Fiorentina in Serie A before moving to Watford in August.
Diamanti struggled for fitness during his time at Vicarage Road and made just three substitute appearances during Watford's first season back in the Premier League.
The former Italy international returns to Serie A with Atalanta 11th in the league and on a run of four consecutive defeats.
Diamanti is set to go into Edoardo Reja's squad for the visit of third-place Inter on Saturday.
An Atalanta statement read: "Diamanti, who will wear shirt number 23, will reach the Sportivo Bortolotti Centre tomorrow and will be available to Mr Reja in the afternoon."news_articleWed, 13 Jan 2016 18:09:45 +0000Anonymous505691 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDefeat won’t force Flores into changesWatford manager Quique Sanchez Flores insists Alessandro Diamanti is not fit enough to start against AFC Bournemouth.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/defeat-wont-force-flores-changes
Quique Sanchez Flores insists he will not change his Watford side for the trip to AFC Bournemouth, despite seeing them suffer a 1-0 home defeat against Crystal Palace in their last game.
Watford are comfortably in mid-table after seven games of their first season back in the Premier League since 2006-07, having won two, drawn three, and lost two, and Flores was encouraged by his players' performance against Palace, who are flying high in seventh.
"When we lose, the important thing is to analyse what happened in the match," said Flores. "From the last match, we don't have to change anything. From the analysis against Crystal Palace, they're a strong team; one of the best teams in the Premier League this season.
"We didn't change much from the other games we won.
"When we win it gives us amazing confidence, we're happy," he added. "When we lose, we're not happy but we're still confident, we always keep our confidence, that's the most important thing."
A lack of goals has been Watford's problem so far this season; they are currently the league's joint lowest scorers along with Newcastle United, having scored just five times.
One man who might be able to help turn that poor scoring record around is close-season signing Alessandro Diamanti, but Flores insisted the Italian is not physically ready to add to his two substitute appearances.
"He is working hard but the physical [state] of Diamanti is not enough for me at the moment," Flores said.
"He didn't do pre-season, which is very important - at this age I think it is essential - so in this case with Diamanti I think we have to wait a little more.
"He's a good player, he is technical, he will go to help us through the season but at the moment Diamanti is not ready to go in the first 11."news_articleThu, 01 Oct 2015 18:26:39 +0000Anonymous461724 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comWatford 0 Southampton 0: Diamanti debuts in goalless stalemateThere was nothing to separate Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road in a goalless stalemate.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/watford-0-southampton-0-diamanti-debuts-goalless-stalemate
Watford and Southampton both remain winless in the Premier League after playing out a 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
Quique Sanchez Flores' men now have three draws from as many games on their return to the top flight, after Southampton seemed to show the hallmarks of a team given a thorough midweek workout in the UEFA Europa League.
Ronald Koeman's side were held 1-1 by Midtjylland on Thursday and were unable to break down a well-drilled Watford, who had the better of the chances.
A frustrating afternoon for Saints - who named Victor Wanyama in their side amid speculation over his future - was made worse by the injury-enforced first-half withdrawal of Sadio Mane.
Replacement Shane Long offered something of a threat in Mane's stead but the likes of Ikechi Anya, Troy Deeney and debutant Alessandro Diamanti proved more dangerous for the hosts.
Odion Ighalo and Etienne Capoue spurned golden opportunities in either half for Watford - the latter heading over with the goal at his mercy - as the spoils were shared in a somewhat forgettable encounter.
Watford brought in Jose Holebas for Miguel Layun, allowing Anya to form part of an attacking trio behind Deeney.
The Scotland international was key to the hosts' bright start, although Southampton had the first real chance courtesy of Mane and his blistering pace.
Mane - a reported recent target for Manchester United - raced past Craig Cathcart but saw his dangerous cross cleared by the Watford defence.
Koeman's side grew into the contest but their momentum was checked when Mane was forced off 25 minutes in having been involved in two robust challenges.
A Holebas strike prior to the half-hour seemed destined to trouble Maarten Stekelenburg only for Deeney to get in the way, but clear-cut chances were at a premium until Watford created the best opportunity of the opening period five minutes before the break.
The lively Anya drilled a dangerous ball across goal, yet Ighalo was unable to make contact.
Flores handed Diamanti a Watford debut at the start of the second half, but it was Southampton who threatened early, Graziano Pelle's strike and a flicked header from Long testing Heurelho Gomes.
As Watford responded, Diamanti offered a glimpse of his quality with a cross that narrowly evaded Deeney before Capoue spurned a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock.
The Frenchman could only angle Deeney's flick-on over the crossbar, while the best Southampton could muster at the other end came courtesy of long-range efforts from Wanyama and Cedric Soares.
While the game opened up late on, there was to be no winner, although Watford could take heart from another competitive showing as Southampton's sluggish start to the campaign continued.news_articleSun, 23 Aug 2015 16:53:28 +0000Anonymous441672 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comWatford seal Diamanti dealHaving trained with the club in recent weeks, Alessandro Diamanti has now completed a loan switch to Watford from Guangzhou Evergrande.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/watford-seal-diamanti-deal
Watford have completed the signing of Alessandro Diamanti on a season-long loan from Chinese outfit Guangzhou Evergrande.
The 32-year-old attacking midfielder arrives at Vicarage Road for the 2015-16 Premier League season subject to international clearance.
Diamanti headed to China from Bologna in 2014 having previously spent a season in England's top flight with West Ham.
The 17-times capped Italy international scored seven goals in 28 matches during his previous Premier League stint in 2009-10 and will be charged with helping his new club avoid relegation back to the Championship.
Diamanti spent the second half of last season on loan at Fiorentina and counts Brescia and Livorno among his other former clubs.
Watford have opened their campaign with back-to-back draws against Everton and West Brom.news_articleMon, 17 Aug 2015 15:29:03 +0000Anonymous438417 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comWatford close in on Diamanti dealWatford's busy transfer window looks set to continue after Quique Sanchez Flores revealed the club are close to signing Alessandro Diamanti.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/watford-close-diamanti-deal
Italy international Alessandro Diamanti is close to joining Watford, according to head coach Quique Sanchez Flores.
Diamanti has previous experience of playing in the Premier League after a brief spell at West Ham and looks set for a return as Watford's negotiations with Guangzhou Evergrande near a conclusion.
The 32-year-old moved to the Chinese outfit from Bologna in 2014 and spent the second half of last season on loan at Fiorentina, where he scored two goals in 11 Serie A appearances.
Flores felt it unlikely that Diamanti's deal would be finalised in time for the visit of West Brom on Saturday, as Watford look to build on their impressive 2-2 draw at Everton on the opening day.
"He's been training with us for a few days and has put in good performances," Flores said.
"The clubs are talking to arrange the last details and I expect him to come to us. It will be difficult for Saturday but the deal is close."news_articleThu, 13 Aug 2015 11:11:53 +0000Anonymous436209 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDiamanti eager to get started at FiorentinaAlessandro Diamanti is looking forward to playing in Serie A again after completing his loan move to Fiorentina.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/diamanti-eager-get-started-fiorentina
The Guangzhou Evergrande playmaker was presented at Fiorentina on Monday, and he will play for the Stadio Artemio Franchi outfit until the end of the season.
Diamanti, who played for Fiorentina on loan in the 2002-03 season, could move to the club permanently ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, and is in line to play against Chievo on Sunday.
"When I heard Fiorentina were interested I didn't think twice about accepting their offer," he said. "I'm keen to get stuck into this new challenge.
"I'm happy and I can't wait to play. I feel at my best, all I need is matches to get back up to speed.
"I will get my head down and work as always. This is a major challenge for me. My career has been strange but I like challenges."
Fiorentina were not the only Italian side to make a loan acquisition on Monday, with strugglers Parma agreeing a deal for Andi Lila.
The midfielder – who has 51 caps for Albania – moves from PAS Giannina in Greece.
news_articleMon, 12 Jan 2015 18:56:07 +0000Anonymous322759 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDiamanti slams Prandelli over World Cup snubAlessandro Diamanti hit out at former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli on Monday as he defended his decision to move to the Chinese Super League.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/diamanti-slams-prandelli-over-world-cup-snub
Diamanti signed for Guangzhou Evergrande in February and, despite having scored five goals in 23 games for the Chinese club, the 31-year-old has not played for Italy since.
The former Bologna attacking midfielder was part of Prandelli's squads for Euro 2012 and the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup but missed out on a spot at this year's World Cup in Brazil, with many pundits claiming it was due to Diamanti's decision to play in China.
But in the lead-up to Wednesday's AFC Champions League quarter-final first leg against Western Sydney Wanderers, Diamanti defended his choice and claimed he would do it again even if Prandelli had expressly warned him it would jeopardise his international career.
Prandelli resigned as Italy manager after the European nation failed to get out of the group stage in Brazil.
"If he [Prandelli] thought that I missed the World Cup simply because I play in China, I didn't care," he told FIFA.com.
"I think I am lucky as I have made the right decision [in coming to China]. Had I been asked to again determine where to go, I would still choose China."
Diamanti insists the Chinese Super League (CSL) is not an easy competition.
"Every match is highly contested. It is not easy to play against the tough opposition and win matches," he said.
"As a player, you have to keep fit and maintain form if you want to get a good result. You should work very hard."
Diamanti is part of a significant Italian influence at China's richest club with Evergrande led by Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning coach Marcelo Lippi, while it is also home to Alberto Gilardino, who moved to Guangzhou in July.
After just six months with Evergrande, Diamanti is already thinking about extending his contract.
Evergrande have won the past three CSL titles and triumphed in the 2013 AFC Champions League.
They will continue their defence of their continental title on Wednesday when they travel to Australia to play the Wanderers, before hosting the A-League club in Guangzhou on August 27.
Diamanti made his Evergrande debut in the same competition in February, scoring twice in a 4-2 come-from-behind win over another A-League club - Melbourne Victory.
"It was an amazing debut performance for me, it started my adventure in China in style," he said.
"So far everything has been good here and I am hoping to prolong my Chinese journey. I hope that I can step up a gear and play better for the rest of this season.
news_articleMon, 18 Aug 2014 03:34:48 +0000Anonymous233503 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDiamanti: 'Prandelli made a tactical choice'Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Alessandro Diamanti believes he was left out of Italys FIFA World Cup squad due to tactical reasons.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/diamanti-prandelli-made-tactical-choice
Diamanti, 31, moved to the Chinese Super League from Bologna in February and missed out on Cesare Prandelli's 30-man squad.
But the former Bologna and West Ham playmaker believes joining Marcello Lippi's team was not why he missed out on selection.
"I don't think being in China had anything to do with that," 17-time Italy international Diamanti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I believe Cesare Prandelli made a tactical choice."
Diamanti admitted the money on offer was part of the reason for his move, but said he maintained his professionalism throughout the negotiations.
"I left in a very strange situation, as I found out Guangzhou wanted me on December 26 and Bologna alerted me on January 4," he said.
"After turning down so many clubs over three years, for the first time I said I'd like to try this new international experience with my family. I was also attracted by the economic package, I'm no hypocrite.
"On January 24, the negotiations terminated and for me the matter was over. I continued doing what I had always done with great professionalism. It was said that I already knew I’d leave and was thinking about Guangzhou, but that isn’t true.
"After my last game with Udinese, (Bologna) coach Davide Ballardini said everyone should be as professional as me. I never asked to leave, made threats or threw tantrums, because that isn’t my style."
news_articleFri, 16 May 2014 02:09:17 +0000Anonymous173654 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDiamanti to join Asian champions GuangzhouSerie A outfit Bologna have confirmed that midfielder Alessandro Diamanti will join Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/diamanti-join-asian-champions-guangzhou
The 30-year-old midfielder will end his two-and-a-half-year stint in Bologna to link up with Guangzhou's Italian coach Marcello Lippi.
Guangzhou won the Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League in a terrific season and have bolstered their squad with the addition of the experienced Diamanti.
A statement on the Italian club's website read: "Bologna announces that it has reached an agreement with Guangzhou Evergrande for the permanent transfer of Alessandro Diamanti."
The former Livorno, West Ham and Brescia player is excited to make the move to Asia.
"I am pleased to be able to start with my family this new adventure," Diamanti said.
"I thank the whole club and especially the city of Bologna, which has made me feel important on and off the field."
news_articleFri, 07 Feb 2014 10:02:55 +0000Anonymous119471 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com